Crabbing

[george2490]

My 1990 900 t16 has started to feel like the back end is trying to catch up with the front on right hand bends. sometimes feels like I am going to have to look out the side window to see where I'm going
Anyone got any idea why?

[Honkey]

I need a video of this!

Please include some clutch kicking for added effect




*I dont think I know what your talkin bout lol*

[george2490]

Hard to explain feels like the rear is skidding but it isn't.

[Honkey]

hmm well I think my saab is pretty tail happy

I was hammering it a few days ago and I'm pretty sure the back slid through a turn (I have it on video but its a **** camera so all you can really do is hear a screech where it happend)

[philjohnhb]

Rear torque arm front bushes?

[SecondmessiaH]

Originally Posted by Honkey

hmm well I think my saab is pretty tail happy

I was hammering it a few days ago and I'm pretty sure the back slid through a turn (I have it on video but its a **** camera so all you can really do is hear a screech where it happend)

i fail to see how this is anything but a good thing

oversteer is mad fun, thats why I have a RWD car as well as a saab

[SteveTheFolkie]

tire pressure, rear wheel bearings, trailing arm bushings, body of over weight associate stuffed in trunk, blown rear shocks (perhaps due to carrying dead bodies about) - sorry - you can take the kid out of Philadelphia, but you can't get the Philadelphia out of the kid

[ShadowWorks]

Originally Posted by george2490

the rear is skidding but it isn't.

It is or it isn't

Its been rainy the week, maybe your tyres are duff?

[george2490]

No bodies in the boot. In Paisley we just leave them by the side of the road.I have checked tyre pressures and visually inspectd the shocks and bushes but I can't se anything wrong. There doesn't appear to be any free play in the wheel bearings.
I don't really mind driving while the car is like this, kind of getting used to it but I am a bit worrie that something is about to let go. (other than my passengers)

[SteveTheFolkie]

Well, try putting the car on jackstands (make darned sure it's secure) and yank on the dangling rear wheels - if you can feel lateral free motion chances are your bushings are shot (no matter how nice they look) - keep in mind - it could also be the front suspension - where you sense the free motion isn't always the source or cause of it - check for a cracked control arm or rotted control arm mounting point -

Glad to hear you're not transporting dead or soon to be dead bodies around in the trunk - I understand they can make a heck of a mess if not packed correctly.

[grif900]

ive had a few panhard-rod mounts ROT right off of the rear axle.its the rod that attaches to the body on the left side, and the axle on the right side over the rear axle. they are under built(i doubt the designer envisioned the longevity these cars would see). i have also come up with a nice fix for the problem that works very well, but you have to do it your self. pull the right rear wheel and inspect the mount.

[GearHead]

push on the back end of your from the side.if you have lateral motion you panhard rod most likly rusted off.or various bushings are shot.Mine did this because the axle got hit and it tweeked the panhard rod mount so it finally tore off.do you have any clunking noises from the back end when it does this?

[ursatz]

When my panhard rod went, the car sort of felt like that. Had to have the mount welded back together.

[george2490]

No noise at all just a kind of loose feeling and definite sideways movement on right handers.

I haven't been able to check further 'cause of work/weather but hopefully I will get a chance today.

[george2490]

Thanks for your help.

I finally found the problem.
The nearside torsion bar had rotted off it's mount and was held on by underseal which was hiding the corrosion.
All looked fine but was not holding the wheel in place under load.

[scubasaab]

I want to know Griff's panhard mod!!
Can you post it, or if it's protected under the Order Of Secret SAABers, please PM me?

[grif900]

Originally Posted by scubasaab

I want to know Griff's panhard mod!!
Can you post it, or if it's protected under the Order Of Secret SAABers, please PM me?

well this may sound cheesy, but the one i made for our 92 has held up for over two years now. it just got a thorough inspection on saturday, and shows a little surface rust. i never took any photos ,so ill try to describe it.
i took two exhaust clamps and welded two predrilled tabs to the saddles.
it simply clamps onto the axle, kind of like a steering stabilizer mount on a truck, in fact thats where the idea came from.it may sound rather flimsy,but im quite shure its stronger than the two little tabs originally welded to the axle.

[grif900]

the best part about my repair is that you dont have to do any welding near your fuel tank, filter or lines. you build it on the workbench and simply bolt it on.

[900t]

When I was driving with Canadasaab's new engine in my trunk my 900 felt like you describe. I actually was enjoying it and driving faster through the curves than maybe I should have been

That said I had no problem getting up to speed but getting back down was an issue, I kept rolling through stop signs and such, because I wasn't used to pressing the brake so hard